Box Score CSU's fourth quarter run leads to first win of 2015

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Trailing Kentucky Wesleyan for the majority of Friday night's game, Central State used a 15-2 fourth quarter run to vanquish the Lady Panthers and earn the first victory of the season by a score of 48-46.

Playing in the opening game of the C.Y Russell Classic on the campus of Kentucky State University, CSU took on a familiar foe in Kentucky Wesleyan. Prior to Central State's departure from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, the two programs had met twice every year dating back to 2012. KWC, which had won the previous five meetings, appeared poised to make it a sixth straight win over CSU. Ranked No. 2 in the G-MAC Preseason Poll, the Panthers opened the game on an 11-2 run sparked by 7 early points from Jill Jones. CSU battled back to make it 12-8 thanks to baskets from Kourtni Perry, Jordyn Bond and Shannon Defoe. With 21 seconds left in the first, KWC's Brittany Wells hit a deep three to give her team a 15-8 edge at the end of the period.

The Panthers extended their lead to as many as 11 in the second quarter with the Marauders managing to stay within striking distance despite shooting just 29% from the field in the first half. An Ashley Dennis layup before the break cut the deficit to 28-20 as the teams went into halftime.

"We struggled throughout the night," said CSU Head Coach Sheba Harris. "The girls kept fighting. We had to find a way to come together and continue to compete despite things not going our way."

Harris' Marauders continued to press on, cutting the lead down to 6 after a Perry layup midway through the third quarter. KWC responded with baskets by Shayla Wright and Asia Coates to give the Panthers a 41-31 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Quiet for most of the night, CSU leading scorer Jordyn Bond led a group of Marauders on a 15-2 run to claim the lead and eventual victory. Bond scored 7 of her 11 points in the final quarter, including a three pointer to tie the game 43-43 with 4:08 remaining. Helping the CSU cause was their ability to convert free throws down the stretch. The Marauders hit 10 of 14 free throw attempts. With 1:29 to go, freshman guard Kayla Horn converted both free throw attempts to give CSU a 48-45 lead. After KWC's Bria Wright split a pair at the line to pull her team with two with 58 seconds left, CSU came up empty on their next offensive possession. With KWC maintaining possession, the Panthers saw their last hopes end with a failed three point attempt from Jennifer Walker-Crawford, who finished the night 0-7 from the field.

The Marauders, which improved to 1-2 on the season, were led by Bond's game-high 11 points and 8 rebounds. Bond has led the Marauder scoring in every game this season with back-to-back 20 point performances to go along with Friday night's output. Kourtni Perry came off the bench to score 10 points, converting 5 of 12 shot attempts. Including her two big free throws at the end of the game, Horn contributed with 8 points off the bench.

"In a game against another top tier team, we finally came together when it mattered the most," Harris said. "All of our ladies struggled for three quarters but everyone showed a great resiliency despite being down. Hopefully, this win will give us more confidence in each other moving forward."

Central State continues a weekend tour through the Bluegrass State on Saturday against Lindsey Wilson College. Saturday's contest in Columbia, KY is scheduled or an 11 am tip.

Fans can watch the action live on theLindsey Wilson Sports Networkbeginning at 11 am.